Cover sleeve for cigarette packs

ABSTRACT

A cover sleeve for standard cigarette packs to cover over undesirable graphic displays printed on such cigarette packs is formed of an assemblable flat blank comprising a plurality of panels. The flat blank is suitable for point of purchase sale to the consumer and has a bottom panel for structural rigidity with a hole permitting access to the bottom of the cigarette pack.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a separate cover sleeve product for cigarettepacks which is capable of self-assembly.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has promulgated rules in whichcigarette manufacturers will be required to visibly display more graphicimages and messages concerning the dangers of cigarettes. Whilecigarette manufacturers are required to print their cigarette packageswith such new visible displays, cigarette smokers are not required toalways view such images.

The new FDA rules do not prohibit consumers from covering over theimages on cigarette packages they purchase.

Cigarette cases for cigarette packs have long existed. Cigarette caseshave been ornamental, sometimes expensive, and otherwise have beenavailable for consumers to purchase at various retail locations.Generally, such cigarette cases are sold in a rectangular cuboid shapeof a size suitable to receive a cigarette pack.

The prior art is replete with cigarette cases having foldable flaps ontop covering the top of the cigarette pack. Such cases are intended tobe permanently used by a consumer who replaces empty cigarette packswhen finished.

The prior art discloses a package sleeve formed of a flat blank foldableto create a desired cigarette package. Such prior art is entitledPackage Sleeve Including Pocket, publication US2011/0155796, filed Aug.2, 2010. The combined article package in that prior art document is theoriginal cigarette pack supplied by a manufacturer, in which cigarettesare sold, such as Philip Morris, to the consuming public. That prior artdiscloses the forming of a pocket section integral to the cigarette packto carry suitable advertising and other promotional materials. Suchsleeve and pocket are not separate from the cigarette pack itself.

US 200510103654 entitled Cigarette Container, filed Sep. 16, 2004,discloses a container for holding cigarettes which has an inner pack forstoring cigarettes in an outer sleeve. The outer sleeve is manufacturedas part of the original cigarette pack and includes an aperture 41 inthe bottom thereof to provide access to the bottom of the cigarette packheld within the sleeve. The sleeve and pack improve access to cigarettesheld in a flip top box.

The provision of a cover sleeve, in accordance with the presentinvention, for commercially available cigarette packs must take intoconsideration the need to have access to the bottom of the cigarettepack to push up cigarettes within the original cigarette pack, itself.

Prior art US Pat. No. 4,240,548, entitled Push Pack, issued Dec. 23,1980, discloses a separate sleeve covering a standard cigarette pack inwhich the combination of the separate sleeve and cigarette pack providesfor automatic opening of a corner of the sleeve and cigarette pack toenable easy removal of individual cigarettes. The sleeve in the '548patent is provided with a fully open bottom so that the cigarette packcan be pushed upward, thereby flipping the lid and providing easy accessto cigarettes.

Cigarette packages manufactured and distributed by conventionalcigarette makers are available for sale to consumers carrying the newlyrequired FDA graphic labeling. Consumers who purchase cigarettes may notwant to see such graphic images. An aspect of the present invention isto provide a sleeve sold separately from cigarette packs which isavailable for easy distribution and purchase by consumers as point ofpurchase products. In other words, while the consumer may be purchasingcigarettes, he may choose to purchase the present invention which may beavailable in a flat package to be assembled by the consumer in simplemanner from a blank.

Such blank can be sold in a convenient fashion and be readily availableto consumers yet be susceptible of easy assembly. The assembly of thepresent invention will permit a separate cigarette sleeve or wrap to beformed and assembled by the consumer in a reliable and efficient mannerso as to cover over the unwanted graphics yet not interfere with theconventional utilization of the cigarette packs.

An important aspect of the present invention is to provide such a simplesleeve which will have an open top for easy receiving of a conventionalcigarette pack and be snugly held therein. The bottom of the sleeve hasa flap, which is part of the blank of foldable material. The flap on thebottom provides additional structural integrity as well as securelyretaining the cigarette pack in the cover sleeve. The flap has a smallopening permitting access to the cigarette pack contained therein.

The present invention, as contrasted with the push pack of the Stio '548patent, provides a simple blank available as a flat sheet soldconveniently as point of purchase displays or otherwise. The structureof the sleeve includes the provision of a substantially closed bottomwith de minimus access to the bottom of the cigarette pack held withinthe sleeve for access to the bottom of the cigarette pack to facilitateremoval of cigarettes therefrom.

An object of the present invention is to provide an easily assembled andstructurally strong separate cover sleeve for conventional cigarettepacks.

Another object of this invention is to provide such a sleeve whichprovides easy access to the top of the cigarette pack yet substantiallycloses the bottom preventing the cigarette pack from sliding out, yetalso provides an opening for access to the bottom of the cigarette pack.

Still another object of this invention is to provide such a cover sleevefor a cigarette pack formed as a foldable flat blank capable of beingeasily packaged as point of purchase displays yet susceptible to easyassembly and utilization.

Other objects, advantages and features of this invention will becomemore apparent from the following description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional cigarette pack within thecover sleeve of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a decorative cover sleeve withcigarettes projecting from the combination sleeve and cigarette pack.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of an embodiment of the invention of a blank forforming the cover sleeve.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of this invention prior to complete closingand showing the sleeve in an intermediate position as the sleeve isbeing formed.

FIG. 5 is a perspective of a further intermediate position of the sleevebeing formed showing the bottom portion thereof,

FIG. 6 is a top plan view showing an intermediate position as the sleevebeing formed.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 5 after the sleeve has beenassembled.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a standard Marlboro cigarette pack 10carried within a cover sleeve 12. FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1showing a cigarette pack 14 with cigarettes 16 projecting from the topthereof held in a cover sleeve 18 having an ornamental design.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of a one piece blank 30 preferably made ofpaper for forming a cover sleeve adapted to be placed over a cigarettepack. The cigarette pack can be, for example, a soft pack or hinged-lidhard pack containing cigarettes.

The embodiment of the blank shown in FIG. 3 has a one piececonfiguration and comprises a plurality of panels and a bottom flap. Thepanels are folded, and one panel overlies another to form the coversleeve. The bottom flap hinges at a fold line as will be described infurther detail.

The blank 30 has a bottom panel 32, a rear panel 34, two side panels ofsubstantially rectangular shape 36 and 38, corresponding corner foldpanels 40 and 42, as well as front panel 44 and additional side panel 46and tuck in flap panel 48.

The cover sleeve of this invention is designed to fit a typical kingsize cigarette pack with the dimension of approximately 5.7 mm width, by2.4 mm depth and 8.7 mm height as well as the larger king sizecigarettes of approximately 5.7 mm width, 2.4 mm depth and 10.2 mmheight. Any suitable cigarette pack may be covered by a blank ofsuitable size.

A hole or cut out 50 in bottom panel 32 permits access to the bottom ofthe cigarette pack. Preferably, the cut out takes up no more than 20% ofthe area of the bottom panel 32 (see FIG. 7).

Blank 30 is sold in flat form and may be suitable for point of purchasedisplays. A customer purchasing the cover sleeve of this invention mayeasily assemble the cover sleeve to accomplish its intended purpose.Such assembly is somewhat intuitive and requires folding the individualpanels along fold lines as described hereinafter. Side flap 46 is foldedalong fold line 52 as is front flap 44 then folded along fold line 54.Side flap 38 is folded about fold line 56 and rear flap 34 is foldedabout fold line 58. Bottom flap 32 is folded about fold line 60 as areside corner flaps 40 and 42 folded about fold lines 62 and 64. Tuck inflap 48 is folded about fold line 66 as side flaps 40 and 42 are beinginserted in the cover sleeve as bottom panel 32 and flap 48 are foldedinto the bottom of cover sleeve 30.

Side flaps 36 and 46 are permanently attached together as by adhesivecovered over with self remove strips to ensure the cover sleevemaintains its package integrity.

Bottom flap 32 in conjunction with corners 40 and 42 and tuck in flap 48(see FIGS. 5 and 6) provide bottom rigidity to the cover sleeve yetpermit access through aperture 50 to the cigarette pack held within.

The top of the cover pack is open (see FIG. 4), providing complete andfull access to the top of the cigarette pack.

FIGS. 4-7 taking in conjunction with FIG. 3 show the sleeve of thisinvention in the process of being assembled. It is sold in flat form asin FIG. 3 and ultimately is assembled as in FIG. 7, which shows thebottom with hole or aperture 50. The top is fully open as shown in FIG.4, which is an intermediate stage showing the cuboid form of the sleevebeing assembled with corner 40 and side panel 46 displayed.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show the final form of the bottom flap 32 with tuck inflap 48 and corner flaps 40 and 42 initially as shown in FIG. 5 and thenin the intermediate process as being folded over as shown in FIG. 6prior to the bottom closure shown in FIG. 7.

The blank may be made of paper stock and may be printed with differentdesigns to appeal to all potential purchasers. Such designs may alsoinclude advertising or other indicia or data. The indicia could becustomized to a person's name, city or other identifying material.

It should be understood that the preferred embodiment was described toprovide the best illustration of the principles of the invention and itspractical application to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the artto utilize the invention in various embodiments and with variousmodifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All suchmodifications and variations are within the scope of the invention asdetermined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance withthe breadth to which they are fairly legally and equitably entitled.

1. A cover sleeve for standard cigarette packs, said cover sleevecomprising: a flat blank comprising a plurality of panels, said panelsseparated by fold lines enabling a consumer to fold the panels to formsaid cover sleeve, said panels comprising a bottom panel to close thebottom of said cover sleeve, said bottom panel having an opening ofsufficient size to permit access to the bottom of said cigarette pack,said opening comprising a size such that the remainder of said bottompanel comprises sufficient structure to provide structural integrity forsaid cover sleeve, said top of said cover sleeve being completely openproviding access to cigarettes held in said cigarette pack, said coversleeve comprising a size to snugly slide on said cigarette pack.
 2. Acover sleeve according to claim 1, wherein said cover sleeve comprisesdecorative printing thereon.
 3. A cover sleeve according to claim 1,wherein said blank comprises corner fold side panels adjacent saidbottom panel to be folded in the bottom of said cover sleeve as saidsleeve is assembled.
 4. A cover sleeve according to claim 1, whereinsaid opening in said bottom panel comprises less than twenty percent ofthe area of said bottom panel.